Vicki Schmidt
American politician
Vicki Schmidt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 26th Kansas Insurance Commissioner | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2019 | |
| Governor | Laura Kelly |
| Preceded by | Ken Selzer |
| Member of the Kansas Senate from the 20th district | |
| In office January 10, 2005 – January 14, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Bunten |
| Succeeded by | Eric Rucker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vicki Ensz (1955-09-15) September 15, 1955 (age 68) Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Michael |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Kansas (BS) |
| Website | www.VickiSchmidt.org |
Vicki Schmidt (born September 15, 1955) is an American politician who is currently the Kansas Insurance Commissioner. She was a Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 20th district, from 2005 to 2019. She also served as the Senate Assistant Majority Leader from 2009 to 2012, and from 2017 to 2019.[1] She was elected Kansas Insurance Commissioner in 2018, and reelected in 2022.
Early life
Schmidt attended Wichita South High School in Wichita, Kansas where she met her future husband. After high school, she attended the University of Kansas and graduated from the school's pharmacy program.[2]
Kansas Senate
In the Kansas Senate, Schmidt served as chairwoman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee, Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations, and the State Employee Pay Plan Oversight Committee. She also served as a member of the Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee, and the education, financial institutions and insurance, transportation committees.[3]
Kansas Insurance Department
Schmidt was elected Kansas Insurance Commissioner in 2018, and reelected in 2022.
In October 2023, Schmidt announced a reduction of producer licensing fees for 2024. It is estimated that these reductions will be reduced by a total of $1.2 million.[4][5]
The department has staff who regularly assists Kansans answer insurance-related questions and resolve insurance issues. This includes assisting individuals with previously denied claims. During 2023, the department assisted with recovering $16 million for Kansas policyholders with disputes with their insurance companies. 2023 marks the largest single-year recovery in the history of the department. Since the beginning of Schmidt's tenure as commissioner in 2019, the department has recovered $35 million in total.[6][7]
Personal life
In May 2023, Schmidt was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram. She underwent surgery and radiation treatments, and became cancer free in September. Following her battle with cancer, Schmidt continuously encouraged other women in Kansas to undergo routine mammogram screenings.[8]
References
- ^ "KanFocus -- Error". www.kanfocus.com.
- ^ "2022 General Election Bios" (PDF). KansasChamber.org.
- ^ "Profile from the Kansas Legislature".
- ^ Jones, Shayndel. "Kansas Insurance Commissioner reduces producer licensing fees by $1.2 million". Channel 13 News. Channel 13 News. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Kansas Producer License Fees to be Reduced by $1.2 Million in 2024". Insurance Journal. Wells Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Motter, Sara. "$16 million recovered for insurance policy holders in Kansas after 2023 disputes". 13 WIBW. WIBW-TV. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Brunner, Melissa. "KS Insurance Commissioner reminds people of consumer resources available". 13 WIBW. WIBW-TV. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Brunner, Melissa. ""It's humbling:" KS Insurance Commissioner discusses breast cancer journey". 13 WIBW News. WIBW-TV. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
External links
- Schmidt's campaign website
- Ballotpedia
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee for Kansas Insurance Commissioner 2018, 2022 | Most recent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Insurance Commissioner of Kansas 2019–present | Incumbent |
- v
- t
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Statewide political officials of Kansas
- Laura Kelly, Governor
- David Toland, Lieutenant Governor
- Scott Schwab, Secretary of State
- Kris Kobach, Attorney General
- Steven C. Johnson, Treasurer
- Vicki Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner
- Ty Masterson, President
- Rick Wilborn, Vice President
- Larry Alley, Majority Leader
- Dinah Sykes, Minority Leader
- Daniel Hawkins, Speaker
- Blake Carpenter, Speaker pro tempore
- Chris Croft, Majority Leader
- Vic Miller, Minority Leader
- Marla Luckert, Chief Justice
- Eric Rosen
- Daniel Biles
- Caleb Stegall
- Evelyn Wilson
- K. J. Wall
- Melissa Standridge, Justices
